Tuplet: A standard Triplet ♪♪♪

Thank you, Universe,for all of the teachers of Three:
for trilogies and Sacred Triangles,FatherSon&HolyGhost,Bodhi, Trimurti,MaidenMotherCrone, and everydeparture initiation and eventual return…

For the three-ring circus,hat trick, and ‘the pin,’
triathlons and triple crowns,
the three-second rule,
three strikes you’re out, and
three in the key…

On your mark, get set, go!

For Will’s Witches, the Fates,ZeusPoseidon&Hades,the musketeers, Deathly Hallows,three rings for the Elven kings,Goldie’s bears, the little pigs, Aladdin’s wishes,
Curly, Moe and Larry,
Beowolf’s battles, Donald and Daisy’s ducklings,
that place in Bermuda,
and three loud drunks seated at the end ofThe Irish Triplet’s barwho are perched on wobbly tripod-legged stoolswhile they sway to a waltz– three sheets to a lonely wind.

Hip, Hip, Hooray! And three cheersto the ever-returning waves of…

Wait! Yes? Oh.
Special props too – to:
Professors Coleman, Tolken, and Sherman
– who formed my academic triumvirate (back in ’83)and gave me tools –
to majorly minor in Folklore and Ethnic Studies.
They branded my barely-formed psyche
in a vortex of three-tiered lessons
about smoldering myths, epic legends and timeless tales.
They filled this head, heart and soulwith heroes who journeyed and battled and rose upthrough three alarm fires
of life, death and rebirth – so there wasnothing for me to do but surrenderto the magical, ancient, and eternally blessed:Power of Three.

Ever after,life took on random divisions of
“yesterdays, todays and tomorrows” whoselengthy chapters were easily broken down and dividedinto simple summary thirds:

(Example Three)Sisters:
1. the one I never had2. the one who left3. the one who’s always been here

Yet is it really so simple? Is it all just‘wham, bam, thank you ma’am?’Is it truly only‘a third of a cup of this, and two thirds of a cup of that?’
Is it really as easy as
‘Uno, Dos, Tres?’

Sorrows can’t be divided by anything except Faith,and the sum of Joy is much greaterthan any number cubed.Is there a grand total equivalent of Happiness?What’s the math on Reality?Is there a guiding numeral for Love?(oh shit, did the cock just crow?)

But I have to ask these questions – because otherwise,
how can I explain my life’s extraordinary trifecta:one son and two daughters?What my heart feels for these three humansdoesn’t always make sensenor does the unconditional loyalty I’ve pledged to this triowho come from my blood, sweat and tears.I don’t quite know how my love for themis equilateral, eternal and perfectly framedin a triangle called “my heart.” I only know it is.

So yes. Yes, indeed. Thank you, Universe!
Thanks for the threes of each passion, prayer and promise.
Thanks for the glorious sun, moon, starsand the familiar rhythms of time passing from dawn to day to dark.
With my cold hands, cold feet, and warm heart;
and a full breath, soft belly, and clear mind, I embrace
past, present, and future: the three that are me.

A true tale in (iii.) parts:i. Once upon a time
ii. There lived a girl
iii. The end (though, I think not).